Aphrodisiacs are substances that stimulate sexually.
It was once expected that these substances would provoke desire in an adored person, ensure sexual performance, treat sexual dysfunctions, and help in the art of love. These properties were attributed to numerous plants, fruits, animals and minerals based on experience, myths, magic and similarity to the genital organs.
Aphrodisiacs are known in folk medicine of various cultures of the world, from antiquity to the present day.
The most well-known aphrodisiacs were: ginseng root, dishes from some snakes, reptiles, spider extracts, e.g. tarantula, Spanish fly extracts, Siberian deer horns, and rhino horn powder (which is the main reason for the destruction of this species), nests swallows, some drugs, alcohol, especially wine, spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cloves, cardamom, numerous herbs eg known in Poland lubczy, from which lovers in love brewed their chosen and even hair under the armpit or pubic. In the 20th century, thanks to the development of pharmacology and sexology and research methods, objective evaluation and production of synthetic aphrodisiacs became possible. Currently, aphrodisiacs are agents that act selectively on sexual arousal by: local action on the nerve ending, sexual centers that are found in the spinal cord and the central nervous system that irritate the genitourinary system.
The following aphrodisiacs are currently used:
♦ yohimbine - alkaloid from the bark of the plant corynanthe yohimbe, stimulates the erection center and ejaculation in the spinal cord, works on the sympathetic ends of the blood vessels of the member; this medicine is recommended for impotence and for women with weakened vaginal feeling; it is not indicated in the case of neurotic impotence and those suffering from hypertensive disease and arrhythmias; ♦ strychnine - alkaloid from seeds of Strychnos nux vomica; this agent stimulates sexual centers in the spinal cord, excitability of sensory nerves, has a toning effect on the body, used in the case of impotence in smokers and people with low blood pressure, in women with weakened vaginal feeling;
♦ cantharides- acidic anhydride from the Spanish fly, stimulates nerve endings, urogenital mucosa, currently rarely used due to complications (inflammation of the urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, painful member erections); the use of these aphrodisiacs requires caution, moderation, consultation with a sexuologist;
♦ vitamins E, B6, C;
♦ andOther: ginseng, agave, pineapple, avocado, muira puama, chili, celery, cola, nutmeg, nuts, nettle, vanilla, poppy, lovage, seafood, dry red wine in small quantities.
In addition, medicine recommends the use of appropriate foods that have a strengthening effect and a healthy lifestyle
Mainly it's about food containing vitamins and microelements, conducive to the production of sperm - especially zinc and magnesium and improving general health. It turns out that physical fitness, rational nutrition, sleep and a positive psychological state of a person are directly related to sexual performance.
Related concepts: Anafrodyzjaki
Measures to reduce or eliminate sexual arousal and sexual function (plant, animal or magic-based). For various reasons, they were used in many cultures of the world.
In ancient times and the Middle Ages, cold baths were recommended, as well as drinks and plants giving a feeling of coolness. In folk medicine, herbs (serdecznik, St. John's wort, hawthorn or melissa) were used.Sexual reactivity reduces alcohol in high doses, preference for beer, drug use, psychotropic drugs. In the treatment of sexual offenders, various drugs are used to reduce sex drive and impotence: antiandrogenic (lowering testosterone), antihypertensive and psychotropic.
The slogans were prepared on the basis of: Zbigniew Lew-Starowicz: Love and Sex. Encyclopedic dictionary. Wroclaw 1999
